The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is launching a new print and online advertising campaign today that urges Congress to increase funding for cancer research supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), so that past federal investments do not go to waste. The ad, which is running in print and online in Capitol Hill publications beginning today, features a beaker with text that reads, ThereÈs promising cancer research in this beaker thanks to past federal funding. It goes on to say, Without additional funding, this powerful not-kidding-around science might just sit here as millions of families sit out there. View the ad here. The new advertising campaign is timed to begin just prior to the presidentÈs State of the Union address. Two years ago, President Obama said we would double cancer research funding in the next eight years. However, if currently proposed funding levels for fiscal year 2012 become a reality, fewer than 1 in 6 research grants will be approved, the lowest grant approval rate since President Nixon declared war on cancer 40 years ago.
After months of delay and hard negotiations, Congress has finally passed a funding bill! The bill includes a small increase for cancer research and prevention programs.